The largest gang tried in the capital of Guangdong Province allegedly controlled the trade of steel across nine cities in the region.

The trial of the alleged gang, comprising 37 suspects, began in Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court yesterday.

A gang of 35 members led by Jian Zuxing was considered the biggest gang to be tried in Guangzhou.

The alleged gang on trial, led by Li Zhong and Dai Hongliang, is suspected of the illegal possession of arms, involvement in brawls, kidnapping, illegal detainment of a person, disturbing the public, swindling and the destruction of public property from April 2007 to June 2008.

Li, Dai and most of the suspects are originally from Hengshan, Hunan province, according to an indictment from the Guangzhou municipal people's procuratorate.

Hengshan is an important steel supplier for many construction sites in Guangdong Province.

The 40-year-old Li commanded Dai and his gang members to commit numerous highway robberies of trucks hauling steel from Hengshen to Guangzhou, Zhongshan, and Zhuhai cities since April 2007, according to prosecutors.

The robberies, according to the court, in effect allowed the gang to monopolize the steel trade between Hengshan and Guangdong province.

Li allegedly commanded his gang to force construction sites to buy the black market steels. The gang also lied about the exact weight of the steel and swindled money from the sites, according to the indictment.

In August 2007, Li opened a trading company in Guangzhou. The company acted as a front for his illegal activities and allowed him to expand his business, according to the indictment.

Under Li and Dai's command, the group allegedly robbed many trucks carrying steel in the province through violent means.

They hijacked vehicles, kidnapped drivers and extorted money from them, according to the indictment.

The 37 suspects were arrested on July 8, 2008.

A court official said the trial will last for several days because of the size of the group.

(China Daily July 14, 2009)